Table



C. M. RICE March 3, 1936.

TABLE Filed June 21, 1935 Patented Mar. 3, 1936 TABLE Charles M. Rice, Everett, Wash, assignor of onehalf to Carmen Vincent, Everett, Wash.

Application June 21,

2 Claims.

My invention relates generally to improvements in tables and the main object is to provide in simple, ornamental, inexpensive and convenient form a combination, folding table and tray which may be used as a bedroom stand, bed tray or table, coffee table, desk, reading stand and like uses.

Another object is to provide a device of this kind comprising a top, leaves hinged at the ends of the top, slide bars for holding the leaves extended when in use, a handle connecting the slide bars for their convenient manipulation, legs hinged near the four underneath corners of the table in side by side relation, a connecting bar and hook for holding the legs. on each side in crossing relation when the table is used as such, and the said legs having projecting lobes or feet which will support the top slightly elevated when the legs are folded for use as a bed tray.

With these and other objects in View the invention resides in the novel construction and. arrangement of parts as hereinafter fully set forth and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my table showing the same in use as a table in full lines and folded for use as a tray in dotted lines.

Figure 2 is a plan view.

Figure 3 is an end view.

Figure 4 is an enlarged section along the line 4-4 in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an inverted plan view of the slide bars and operating means for supporting the table leaves.

Referring now with more particularity to the drawing the numeral 6 designates a flat rectangular top and I and 8 extension drop leaves hinged at 9 to the ends III of the top. A retaining wall or rail 32 extends across the back of the top 6 and the back, ends and frontal sides of the extension leaves I and 8 as shown. A pair of parallel slide bars II and I2 are slidably mounted by bearings I3 on the underside of the top 6 and are adapted for movement endwise out past the ends I beneath the leaves I and 8 to hold the same in extended position when desired. When the slide bars I I and I2 are withdrawn the leaves I and 8 of course hang straight down as shown in dotted lines in Figure l. A handle I4 is connected by links I to the slide bars II and I2 and through the pivoted joints I6 manipulation or twisting of this handle will project or retract the slide bars.

Four legs I'I, I8, I9 and are provided and same are hinged or pivoted at their upper ends 2I to brackets 22 depended from the underside 1935, Serial No. 27,670 (01. 31l-96) of the top 8 near its four corners, the legs on each side being offset so that they may cross alongside of each other as shown. The legs I9 and. 20 attached at one end of the top 6 are joined by a cross bar or rod 23 at a medial point and the other legs I1 and I 8 have notches 24 to receive the rod 23. One of these legs I! or I8 also carries a hook 25 pivoted at 26 and with a notch 21 to receive the rod 23. This arrangement is thus such that the legs may be crossed and locked as shown to support the top 6 at some distance above the floor. In this position the device serves as a handy bedside table, coffee table, reading stand, or the like.

The legs II, I8, I9 and 20 at their lower or free ends all have lobes or projections 28 joined crosswise beneath the top 6 by cross bars 29 and these lobes 28 are so positioned that when the legs are folded flat beneath the top 6 the lobes will extend downward so as to support the top just a relatively short distance above the floor or bed as shown. In this position shown in dotted lines in Figure l the device is suitable for use as a bed tray, desk or the like and the top is just high enough to bridge the body of the patient or invalid in the bed.

Additional bracing for the legs is provided by ornamental cross pieces 30 extended cross wise some distance above the cross bars 29. These cross pieces 30 have hand holes 3| to facilitate folding or unfolding the legs.

The utility of such a. combination will be readily evident and of course changes in shape, material and size may be made as desired to vary the ornamental appearance of the device.

While I have herein set forth a certain preferred embodiment of my invention, it is understood that I may vary from the same in minor structural details, so as best to construct a practical device for the purpose intended, not departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a device of the kind described, a rectangular top, hinged extension leaves for the top, means mounted beneath the top for holding the leaves extended, legs hinged below the four corners of the top and adapted when unfolded to cross in pairs at each side of the top and support the same in elevated position, a cross bar connecting one pair of legs at a medial point crosswise below the top, the other legs having medial notches to receive the said cross bars, and

a hook hinged to one notched leg and having a notch to receive and engage the said cross bar to hold the legs in crossed unfolded positions.

2. In a device of the kind described, a rectangular top, hinged extension leaves for the top, means mounted beneath the top for holding the leaves extended, legs hinged below the four corners of the top and adapted when unfolded to cross in pairs at each side of the top and. support the same in elevated position, a cross bar con- 10 necting one pair of legs at a medial point crosswise below the top, the other legs having medial notches to receive the said cross bars, and a hook hinged to one notched leg and having a notch to receive and engage the said cross bar to hold the legs in crossed unfolded positions, the said legs also having projecting lobes at their free ends adapted to extend downwardly when the legs are folded flat beneath the top and support the top at a lesser elevation.

CHARLES M. RICE. 

